Paul Krugman writes: “What can we do to stop service-sector job cuts? Not much.” Not true. A significant reason both mom-and-pop and chain department stores are failing is that consumers have shifted to online shopping.

My local Barnes & Noble, one of the biggest in the country, went out of business because too many customers came in, found books they liked and then ordered them from Amazon. Sometimes they did so right in the store.

There is only so much government can do to save businesses if we consumers refuse to do our part. A step in the right direction is supporting bricks-and-mortar stores in our communities.